they have sent paul ryan and a lot of conservatives to washington from wisconsin, but north carolina had conservatives like jesse helms and liberals like gary sanford. both states are divided. both states are capable of sending progressives and conservatives to represent them. both have an urban and rural tradition as well. host: the times news has one of its front-page articles this morning, the economy expands at a moderate pace but that should have little impact on undecided voters. talk to me about the economy in the last four years in north carolina and what effect it is going to have in terms of getting out the vote and who people are going to vote for when they go to the polls. guest: that is why a lot of people assume that mitt romney will carry the state in 2012. this has been a very rough for years for the country, of course, but for north carolina in particular. the state's unemployment is 9.6%, one of the highest in the country. the main reason is that this is a very heavy manufacturing economy. the state has traditionally taken it on the chin with textiles and furniture.